Life In 19x19
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For the love of the game
http://www.lifein19x19.com/viewtopic.php?f=48&t=5080
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Author:  kwhyte [ Thu Dec 01, 2011 10:24 pm ]
Post subject:  For the love of the game

I've introduced myself in other threads, and posted some games for analysis, but finally decided to start a journal here. I've been away from the game for a long time, and have just picked it up again. I'm sure I'll have a lot of stupid things to say. To start, what has changed the most for me over time are my reasons for playing. Once I just wanted to get stronger, and almost elevated understanding of the game to the level of a moral virtue. Now, with a career, children, and a lot more perspective, that all seems a bit silly. The game is a hobby, and I do it because it is fun, interesting, and satisfying. Before I was crushed or elated depending on whether I could push my rank up a stone or two, and wins and losses at the weekly club would stick with me until the next meeting. In fact, one of the reasons I started to play much less over time was that I just cared too much about my results. I still have a hard time letting go of stupid moves, but now I find it hard to care if I win. Before, if I knew my opponent's weaknesses I'd try to move the game in that direction so I could increase my chances of a victory. Now, I'm more likely to try to play to their strength to get the most interesting game I can. Basically, I'm now just looking to see what I can get out of the game and taking it much less seriously. One aspect of this is that I now enjoy studying the game (via interesting books, replaying games, or just thinking about it) at least as much as actually playing. Probably this means I will not get stronger as fast as I could, and I will not spend time on things like life and death or endgame problems once they start to feel like work - even if I know they would help me win more. After all, I am not and will never be a pro - I'm not playing because I can get something out of winning, I'm playing because I enjoy the process.

Anyway, enough babbling. I promise my next post will have actual positions in it.

Author:  EdLee [ Fri Dec 02, 2011 2:49 am ]
Post subject: 

Nice, kwhyte. :)

Author:  RBerenguel [ Fri Dec 02, 2011 11:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: For the love of the game

Hi kwhyte!

I hope your study goes along nicely, and I'm waiting to see what your plan or steps are. You can check my own study journal here, too :)

See you again, and if you happen to play in KGS, please let me know and maybe we can fire a game.

Author:  kwhyte [ Sun May 05, 2013 9:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: For the love of the game

So, life has obviously interfered. I still have a lot of thoughts I'd like to share on how/why I play, but haven't managed to write them coherently. I have been reading the forums on and off, and finally started playing again. I have made a commitment to myself to post my games with thoughts. Hopefully people will find the comments useful/amusing, and I welcome any feedback or questions about either the moves or the comments.



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